title: Selection of somatic hybrids by resistance complementation.
abstract: Protoplast fusion provides a nonsexual system for the transfer of genetic information between cell types. This transfer can be between species, genera, families, or kingdoms, thereby allowing unique opportunities to study somatic cell genetics in plants. Individual chromosomes (1) or pieces of chromosomes (2) have been transferred between species in unstable hybrids, but the technology also allows the transfer and recombination of organelles (3). The major obstacle in most protoplast fusion experiments has been developing strategies for the selection of somatic hybrids. This is mainly because of the fact that the fusion process itself is random. The isolation of heterokaryons from homokaryons and unfused protoplasts requires the use of a selection method. There are many selection strategies available (4), but one of the most efficient methods employs the use of resistance complementation (5).
authors.affiliation: Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hauptmann
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Widholm